2017 was a year filled where all the tools in my tool belt were utilized. Raising thousands of dollars at fundraisers with Performance Art, conceptualizing and constructing creative interior spaces with Environmental Design, creating various works of art for commissions with Studio Art and developing identities for companies with Graphic Design work. Many gallons of paint were emptied, several feet of electrical wire installed, over a football field length of canvas stretched and several sheets of plywood cut and dozens of ceramic tiles fired among other things. More importantly, many friends were made, spaces transformed, diverse groups of people gathered and celebrated and a lot of money was raised for important causes.

2014: 2nd Half in Review (August–December)

August

With the first half of 2014 being so robust with creative opportunities, it was wonderful to reenergize at the Grove Gathering which meets monthly at my home. Singer/Songwriter Tim Timmons gave his refreshingly honest story of faith and music and Percussionist/Musicologist Martin Neill shared his intriguing tales of sharing music and faith in tribal cultures around the world. Gathering and sharing stories with fellow creatives of different disciplines helps inspire and influence my artistic output.

A special project that I have been working on for years came to fruition with the book Journal of NE by C. Charles Richards that I designed and illustrated. The book designed with the look of a parchment wrapped and wax stamped leather journal included an emboss and foil stamp for an intriguing cover that mirrored the books content.

Journal of NE Book Packaging

October

Early in the month I was asked to be have my own show in the gallery at Christ PresbyterianChurch in beautiful Santa Barbara for the rest of 2014, so I filled up the U-Haul and headed north. It's great space in a wonderful community of art lovers. The church even owns the large art store next door.

Santa Barbara Art Show

Theresa and I had the opportunity to visit our daughters who are attending college in Chicago and NYC and we took advantage of the local art culture with a visit to the Chicago Cultural Center (Objects and Design Show) and MOMA (NYC) which included the Henri Matisse "The Cut-Outs" exhibition.

Chicago / NYC Trip

For Thanksgiving, I traveled to Ohio to reconnect with family and was impressed with the Cleveland Museum of Art–their architectural mashup of old and new and there magnificent collection of art.

December

The month was kicked off in fine fashion when I joined Tyrone Wells on stage at a filled to capacity Coach House in San Juan Capistrano for a "Mostly Christmas" concert. Two paintings were completed during the soulful 1 hour set and auctioned off to raise money for Operation Christmas Child.

Tyrone Wells Concert

The Long Beach Rescue Mission was putting on their first large fundraising event and asked my to be a part of it. Part of my painting depicted hands holding a heart-shaped candle and as a surprise to everyone in attendance dozens of the men and women who are blessed by LBRM every day came on stage to sing at the end which was a very emotional moment. Awe-inspiring to me as well was that each person held a candle in their hands and stood in front of the canvas with the same image depicted. A great moment. The painting was auctioned off and the buyer gave it back to LBRM so it will now hang in their facility.

Long Beach Rescue Mission Fundraiser

CBC Dothan. "Be a Light" and "Be a blessing".

Back in So Cal I was privileged to be a part of fundraiser very near and dear to my heart at the Carley Eissman Foundation Fundraiser who's goal is to eliminate epileptic seizures through a low carb diet and creating teaching kitchens across the country. I designed branding and the book that chronicles the life of it's namesake Carley Eissman. I was at the hospital when Carley was born and when she returned home to God. The painting created during the event In Dana Point Harbor to the soulful music of Tyrone Wells, was auctioned to raise funds then donated back to the foundation to hang on the wall of the USC Keck Medical Center's Neurology Department who is partnering with CEF.

A week later I was invited to be a part of a wonderful organization that helps and encourages children with autism through surf camps. Surfer's Healing asked me to paint during their event accompanied by my virtuoso guitarist friend Marc Seal then later auctioned onstage while Sarah Mclachlan and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and one of my musical faves in high school, Jackson Browne, rocked the house.

Cypress Coll. Found. Americana Awards • Disneyland Hotel

I was blessed to paint for the third year in a row at the Jesse Rees Foundation (NEGU) Gala in Newport Beach. I have been witness to the amazing growth of this organization as I painted at Jesse Rees' memorial service who lost her life to brain cancer at the age of 12. While in the midst of painful cancer treatment she had compassion for the children she saw that had to stay at the hospital to receive care, so she started, with her family, a program to get Joy Jars (filled with fun toys, etc.) into the hands of every child with cancer to lift their spirits. They are well on their way as they have reached and encouraged over 80,000 kids in all 50 states and 27 countries. Never Ever Give Up!

Jesse Rees Foundation Gala (NEGU) • Marriott Newport

Capo Beach Church Easter Sanctuary Design/Installation

Concordia University Passion Service

Throwing on the tool belt again, I dove into the designing, painting and constructing of three reception areas for Hope Community Church/ Morrisville in the Raleigh area. I incorporated the Googie-style design of my youth in 3 signs and walls murals and build-outs. This was accomplished in about four days from scratch!

While this work was going on I would throw on my paint clothes in the evening and paint live at the the main Raleigh campus for two services on Friday, Saturday and the morning services on Sunday, six services in all. Unfortunately, there was not a spa at the hotel.

Easter Services • Hope Community Church • Raleigh, NC

Workabilty Conference • Laguna Cliffs Resort

May

I travelled to Chicago with my wife Theresa to help move our daughter Eve out of her dorm at SAIC (School of Art Institute of Chicago) and fit in some art appreciation in the midst of vacuuming and stuffing boxes.

Boys & Girls Club of Capo Valley Gala • Ritz Carlton Resort

So, to recap, I painted with Tyrone Wells in Dana Point Harbor, with Marc Seal, Sarah Mclachlan and Jackson Browne above the breakers at the Strands in Dana Point, at the St. Regis Hotel on the coast in Laguna Niguel, and finally at the beautiful Ritz Carlton Hotel overlooking the sun setting on the majestic Pacific at the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley Gala. I'm getting spoiled.

One of the highlights of the year is getting to paint live at the KSBR Birthday Bash Jazz Festival, this being my second year. What's better than being able to create art while some of the finest jazz musicians are your musical backdrop?

June

The Carley Eissman Foundation utilized the money raised from the fundraiser in January to start a teaching kitchen and fund a dietitian at USC Keck Medical Center and I created a logo and folder to give to the families attending the new program.

Carley's Kitchen Logo, Folder and Business Card

Prague's Old Square, Troja Chateau and Museum Kampa

Brookside Church Design/Installation • Omaha, Nebraska

Capo Beach Church • Lasered Metal Signage Installation

"All In" Fundraiser Design/Installation • Capo Beach Church

August Grove Gathering

My wife Theresa and I got away for a late anniversary date to see the Broadway musical Once and take in some simple, yet creative stage design wrapped in some inspiring music. The play, however, did not trump the movie.

September

I was honored to be able to join my friends at the Be Perfect Foundation for their annual event that raises funds for therapy for those with spinal injuries. I connected with my inner Cirque du Soleil performer as I painted on platforms high above the audience. The great news is that the four painting created that night raised over $43,000 for this great cause. I was also commissioned to paint two more paintings to be placed on the walls of their therapy clinics.

Be Perfect Foundation Fundraiser – LaVerne, CA

Next up in October was another fundraiser for Hope International, an organization that helps fund small businesses for struggling people in third world countries among other valuable services. A great thing happened at this event, in that the losing bidder paid Hope for another commissioned painting so Hope made twice the amount for the live art.

Hope International Fundraiser – Newport Beach, CA

November

I returned to Santa Barbara for the official opening of my art show and the 1st Thursday Art Event and painted live with the Justin Claveria Jazz Quartet. I was honored to have many friends make the trek from south O.C. for the event that the organizer said was the best of the night of all the contributing venues.

1st Thursday Art Event – Santa Barbara, CA

The Journal of NE had it's "Invitation Only" book unveiling at a warehouse that I was asked to convert to the theme of the book. Many people helped make it come to life with the evening featuring great music and some live art–the painting being auctioned off to support the Carley Eissman Foundation. The painting was silent auctioned to help support a home for sex trafficking victims in the area.

Journal of NE Book Launch Event

The second Journal of NE Book Launch in Artesia, CA included a concert of extraordinary musical talent and some live art. I completed a 3.5' x 7' homeless warrior angel character from the book in about 25 minutes.

Journal of NE Book Launch Concert

I returned to Lake Arlington Baptist Church in Texas for a Christmas service where I had painted 6 1/2 years ago for an Easter service. A great way to end the year with wonderful people.

Lake Arlington Baptist Church Christmas Service

2014: (1/2)Year in Review

January

2014 started off with a "twang" as I traveled to Dothan, Alabama to paint live at two services for the good folks of Calvary Baptist Church. Thank God the pastor's son attends Auburn and not Alabama after their recently played dramatic football clash. It put the church staff in a much better mood in this college football crazed community.

Next up was the Cypress College Foundation Americana Awards where many were honored including one of my heroes, John Wooden, who's basketball camp I attended as a child and followed as his UCLA basketball teams won 10 national championships. His successes in the win column pale in comparison to his influence as a wise mentor to so many. So, when I was asked to honor him with my paintbrush I was thrilled.

March

The sports theme continued as I was asked to be a part of the Athletes First Gala sponsoring Orangewood Children's Home for abused children. Again, I painted another legendary coach and mentor, Vince Lombardi, in front of the assembled guests and sports superstars.

Athletes First Gala • St. Regis Hotel

Influence Church Worship Center Design/Installation

April

Busy, does not adequately describe April and the Easter season for Tom Clark Studio. Three environmental design projects at churches on the west and east coasts and 8 paintings at events in North Carolina and the So Cal area.

It all started with a new worship center design for Influence Church in Anaheim Hills, CA where raw wood and large metal barn doors where used to create a rugged industrial look for this young, burgeoning church. The removable barn doors allow for multiple stage design options and also warm up the more sterile functional room. The stage was expanded and the seating was changed to a more intimate amphitheater arrangement.

Next, was my home church, Capo Beach Church, where I came up with the concept to eliminate the current dark-walled backdrop and create a canvas for environmental projection to enhance the Easter services and create an option for future services. I designed three 10 ft. x 10 ft. structures out of wood, metal and corrugated plastic that spelled out the theme "ONE". Each piece was internally lit and then masked out digitally so the environmental imagery could float around the structures.

I put away my construction tools for a wonderful evening of worship with the students and faculty at Concordia University's Passion Service in Irvine, CA. Although, I was technically working, it was a nice moment of rest in the midst of the hectic Easter season. I then hopped on a plane the next morning and headed to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Hope Comm. Church • Morrisville, NC • Design/Installation

Arriving back in the So Cal area, I painted and shared stories at the Workability Conference at the Laguna Cliffs Resort. I spoke on creativity and visual learning in front of educators throughout Southern California who teach children with learning disabilities to be able to transition into the workforce. I then painted to the sounds of 60s and 70s and soul music. The teachers were out of their seats and dancing to the groove.

Chicago • Picasso, Miller & Shellabarger, EATaly, Millennium Park

KSBR Birthday Bash • Oso Viejo Park, Mission Viejo, CA

It's always important when your job is being creative to recharge your batteries and step away and simply enjoy your surroundings. With that in mind, my wife Theresa, youngest daughter Eve and I visited the beautiful and historic city of Prague, Czech Republic to visit my oldest daughter Jayne who was working on a short film in conjunction with her college NYU (Tisch School/Film & Television). The city is awash in art, music and literature and we took in the museums, cathedrals and gardens, awarding our senses with every turn on her cobblestoned streets.

July

July brought me to the heartland of America, Omaha, Nebraska–a stone's throw across the Missouri River from my mother's hometown of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Brookside Church wanted someone to re-envision their children's area which encompassed the hallway walls and room entries as well as their 4th/5th grade room. I had them tear out the drop down ceilings in the room, add new lighting and created fun seating areas to complement the newly designed murals and architecturally detailed walls. I also designed new signage for the hallway entries and branding for the 4/5 room.

Throughout the year there were various projects squeezed in between those mentioned above. Here are a few: